Updated October 2026
For a first date in Valletta, try Upper Barrakka Gardens, Caffe Cordina, or Charles Grech Café. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
Valletta is made for dates: golden stone streets, views over the Grand Harbour at every corner and a calm evening scene of wine bars and restaurants. A coffee on Republic Street or a glass of wine on Strait Street is a natural first step.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from a free sunset in the Upper Barrakka Gardens to a romantic dinner, plus two unusual ideas: wartime tunnels and a harbour ferry.
See who nearby is free this evening and send one message. No swiping. Free, 18+.
Garden and viewpointValletta€All ages
A garden on the highest point of the city walls, with a terrace looking over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Free, open 10:00 to 22:00, and you can watch the cannons of the Saluting Battery below fire at noon and 16:00.
Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta · Walk-in
Historic caféValletta (Republic Street)€€All ages
A landmark café on Republic Street with a long history and art on its walls, known for Maltese sweets like kannoli and honey rings. A classic, central spot for a first coffee.
244 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1114 · Takes bookings
Café and barValletta (Republic Street)€€30s
The original 19th-century tobacconist and bottle shop of the Charles Grech house, reopened as an elegant belle époque café. Open until 23:00 Monday to Thursday and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, so it works for coffee or a late drink.
10 Republic Street, Valletta · Takes bookings
Wine barValletta (Strait Street)€€30s
A wine bar on Strait Street, the old sailors' street that is now Valletta's calm evening strip, open Tuesday to Saturday from 19:00 to midnight. Wine and cheese in a cosy setting, ideal for a first or second date; book by phone.
2 Strait Street, Valletta VLT 1430 · Takes bookings
Art museumValletta (Merchants Street)€All ages
The national museum of art in the Auberge d'Italie, a former knights' auberge. Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 from March to October and 9:00 to 17:00 in November and December; calm and full of things to talk about.
Auberge d'Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta VLT 1170 · Takes bookings
Historic theatreValletta€€All ages
Valletta's historic theatre, with drama, music and musicals; the autumn 2026 programme includes Little Shop of Horrors. Dress up a little and make an evening of it.
Triq it-Teatru l-Antik, Valletta VLT 1426 · Takes bookings
RestaurantValletta (Old Bakery Street)€€€40+
A restaurant that opened as a confectionery in 1906, now a private, homely place with a romantic atmosphere, classic Maltese and Italian dishes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Open for dinner Monday to Saturday; book ahead for a special-occasion date.
53 Triq l-Ifran, Valletta VLT 1454 · Takes bookings
Traditional Maltese restaurantValletta (St Dominic Street)€€All ages
A relaxed restaurant for traditional Maltese food, open every day for lunch and dinner from 17:30 to 22:00. Sharing local dishes makes for an easy, cheerful date; call for same-day bookings.
143 St Dominic Street, Valletta VLT 1605 · Takes bookings
Contemporary art galleryValletta (East Street)€All ages
An independent gallery in a 400-year-old former warehouse showing local and international contemporary artists, open Wednesday to Saturday from 14:00 to 19:00. A short visit gives you plenty to talk about over a drink afterwards.
15, 16, 17 Triq Lvant (East Street), Valletta VLT 1253 · Walk-in
Fort and museumValletta (tip of the peninsula)€All ages
The fort at the tip of the Valletta peninsula, home to the National War Museum. On some Sundays the In Guardia historical re-enactment takes place from 11:00 to 12:00, a fun daytime plan.
Mediterranean Street, Valletta · Takes bookings
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Underground war headquartersValletta (Lascaris Ditch)€€All ages
Underground rooms that housed the Combined War Headquarters from 1940, now a museum run by a volunteer heritage foundation. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 17:30; an unusual, conversation-starting daytime date.
Lascaris Ditch, Valletta VLT 2000 · Takes bookings
Harbour ferryValletta, Sliema and the Three Cities€All ages
Small catamaran ferries cross Marsamxett Harbour from The Strand in Sliema to Valletta, and the Grand Harbour from Valletta to the Three Cities, from early morning until the evening. A few euros buys one of the best views of the city walls, especially at sunset.
The Strand, Sliema, and Valletta ferry landings · Walk-in
Popular places to meet people in Valletta include Malta Mates: The Thursday Social (weekly social meetup), Is-Suq tal-Belt (food hall), and Café Society (bar). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Caffe Cordina or Charles Grech Café. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
Open YesTonite and see who in Valletta is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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